Pink Lloyd Scores Third Straight Jacques Cartier Stakes

Making his season debut May 4, Canada's reigning champion male sprinter Pink Lloyd won the third straight edition of the $125,000 Jacques Cartier Stakes at Woodbine.

The six-furlong Jacques Cartier, which was upgraded to a grade 3 this year, is for 4-year-olds and up. The field of 12 was the largest Pink Lloyd has faced in his career of 22 races.

Carrying 124 pounds, the 7-year-old gelding broke well from post 6 and stalked the pace in hand with jockey Eurico Rosa da Silva aboard.

"He's carrying the weight and he broke good today," noted trainer Robert Tiller. "We got a big break today from the starting gate—they've done a lot of work with him—so everything went well today."

Yorkton set fractions of :21.75 and :44.38 while Wyatt's Town pressed the pace, with Woodbine newcomer Extravagant Kid looming to their outside. As those three turned for home battling three across, da Silva maneuvered Pink Lloyd outside to a clear path and the chestnut swept by in the lane to win by one length in 1:08.55.

Extravagant Kid battled on for second-place honors, and Curlin's Honor came on for third.

The final time was not far off the 1:08.05 track record Pink Lloyd set in last year's Jacques Cartier. That victory was his first of five from eight starts in 2018.

"We're really excited," said owner Frank Di Giulio Jr., speaking on behalf of Entourage Stable. "As you know, he didn't end the year off on the greatest note last year, but it's just fantastic for him to come back like this. And to win this race for the third time, it's just wonderful. Bob's done just a fabulous job with him."

"He's got a very special place in my heart, and, you know what, he proved it again today that he's just a fabulous animal," Tiller said. "We've run into issues with him, we worked on his issues, and here he is winning this race a (third) year in row, and I am just thrilled. I am so happy, I can't tell you how happy I am."

Bred in Ontario by John Carey, the millionaire son of Old Forester now boasts 17 wins.

"He gives me an awful lot of love and an awful lot of joy," Tiller added. "If he doesn't win another race, that's fine, but I believe he will. He's just wonderful."

The only other horse to win the Jacques Cartier three years in a row was Essence Hit Man from 2011-13.

Sent postward as the 2-1 favorite, Pink Lloyd paid $6.10 to win.